A RO U N D M K A
Music Shorts SPRING CONCERTS The annual Spring Chorus Concert at the Middle School, directed by Charles Postas, certainly did not disappoint as the MKA Concert Choirs and Chamber Singers presented a wonderful and varied program. The Upper School Vocal Music Concert Choirs performed songs that spanned many decades and styles. The songs resounded with complex harmonies and seamless blends and featured accompaniments by student Rob D’Alessandro ’19 and the Advanced Strings. The highlight of the evening was when the Choirs performed selections from Les Miserables that included beautiful solos from Kiki Porter ’18, Dillon Carroll ’16, Caitlin Ladda ’19, Liam Gerard ’17 and others. Jake Sasfai ’17 accompanied on a keyboard that sounded like an orchestra.
ALL-STATE CHORUS Congratulations to Upper School Chamber Singers member Kiki Porter ’18, for her acceptance into the prestigious NJ All-State Chorus 2016. Out of the 1,200 students from the state of NJ who audition for this group, only 325 are accepted. To audition, students are required to sing scales, a solo and a choral piece. Kiki auditioned as a Soprano I and made it into the NJ Mixed Chorus with very high scores! This is the first time in over 50 years that the MKA Chorus Program has sent students to audition for the All-State Chorus. It is a huge commitment from choral directors and one that we are lucky our Upper School Choral Director, Maria Gilmartin, does willingly. It is required that the director be a member of the NJMEA and is willing to assist with rehearsals, events and other responsibilities to give these students the opportunity to audition and participate in the program, if accepted. Kiki began rehearsals in June for her performances in two important concerts this fall in Atlantic City and at the NJPAC, where she will represent MKA wearing our school colors and logo while on stage.
JAZZ NIGHT Wednesday, April 13, was JAZZ NIGHT at MKA. Both the Upper School Jazz Band, directed by Chuck Olsen and the Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Linda Larkin, were featured. Transformed into a jazz café, the Middle School Dining Hall was packed with an enthusiastic crowd. The evening ended with the two bands combining forces to perform a rousing rendition of Brazil, by Ary Barroso.
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BROOKSIDE BELLRINGERS The Primary School students warmed everyone’s hearts with voices, bells, recorders and violins during the Spring Concert, which was dedicated to MKA’s outgoing Board of Trustees President, Mr. Michael Johnson. To show their appreciation for Mr. Johnson’s dedication and service to MKA, the Primary School presented him with two very special gifts: a wooden model of his sailboat, “Moondance,” made by third grade student artist Maggie Stanford and an engraved Malmark Tavern bell that replicates the handbells that all five of his children played while students at the Primary School. Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to Jane Smith, who once again expertly directed and put her heart and soul into the beautiful and memorable program! This is the 25th anniversary of the Primary School’s handbell program. On the bulletin board outside her classroom, Mrs. Smith has honored all the “Brookside Bellringers” from the past 25 years by posting lists and pictures of the students who have rung the bells.
VAIL JAZZ WORKSHOP Congratulations to MKA Jazz Band pianist Jake Sasfai ’17 was accepted into the Vail Jazz Workshop. This ultra-competitive summer program will give Jake the opportunity to work with such jazz luminaries as John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Lewis Nash, Terrell Stafford, Bill Cunliffe and Wycliffe Gordon. The ten-day intensive workshop will include coaching, rehearsals, lessons and performances with some of the biggest names in the business and we couldn’t be more proud of Jake for the hard work and dedication it has taken to achieve this goal!
MUSIC IN THE PARKS WIN Congrats to the Upper School Chorus on an excellent performance & winning first place at the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags
M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my
on Friday, May 6th! Special congratulations to Rob D’Alessandro ’19 for an Overall Award of Outstanding Piano Accompanist. MKA Middle School bands also had an outstanding day of competition at the Music in the Parks Festival. Fourth and Fifth Grade Concert Bands garnered First Place finishes and excellent ratings in the elementary band categories. The Fifth Grade Band also brought home the highest scores of the day in the elementary band division of competition. The Sixth through Eighth Grade Concert Band achieved a First Place finish with a Superior rating and also received the highest score of the day in the Middle School/Junior High concert band division of competition. The Middle School Jazz Band also came home with a First Place finish with an excellent rating. Trumpeter, Bennet LaLonde, won the soloist award for best-improvised solo of all the competing Middle School/Junior High jazz ensembles.